Apparatus and method for providing shipment information

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for providing shipment information, including a memory device for storing shipment information, a processor for processing at least one of a request and a prompt to provide shipment information, wherein the processor processes the information contained in the memory device, and further wherein the processor generates a delivery message, wherein the delivery message contains information regarding at least one of a shipment description, contents of a shipment, a description of a shipment&#39;s contents, the value of a shipment, an shipment invoice, a shipment packing slip, and a shipment bill, and an output device for at least one of outputting, displaying, and printing, information contained in the delivery message.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S.Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/263,877, filed Jan. 23, 2001,and entitled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING SHIPMENT INFORMATION”,the subject matter of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method forproviding shipment information and, in particular, to an apparatus andmethod for providing shipment information which can be attached to,integrated with, located and/or positioned on, and/or located and/orpositioned in, a shipment conveyance device, a pallet, a container, atote, and/or any shipment conveyance structure or apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The shipping, delivery, and freight, services industries accountfor billions of dollars in revenues annually. Billions of dollars arespent each year in shipping and/or delivering goods, products, items,and/or other objects, which are the subject of commercial as well asnon-commercial transactions. In recent years, the growth of electroniccommerce and electronic retailers (so called “e-tailers”) has onlyincreased the need for shipping, delivery, and/or freight delivery,services.

[0004] In a great majority of instances, shipped or delivered goods,products, items, and/or other objects, are shipped in shippingcontainers, on pallets, in cargo containers, in boxes, in envelopes,and/or in totes. Senders or receivers of shipped goods, products, items,and/or other objects, have only very limited means available to them forobtaining shipment information regarding shipments in transit and/or inthe possession of a carrier or transporter.

[0005] In this ever-growing information age, the ability to haveinformation available at one's fingertips, and/or in an instant,continues to fuel the desire to have more and more informationaccessible upon demand. With an ever-increasing amount of goods,products, items, and/or objects, being the subject of shipments and/ordeliveries, there is no doubt that tremendous value can be found inallowing a sender, a carrier, or a receiver, of a shipment or delivery,to obtain information regarding the respective shipment or deliverywhile the respective shipment or delivery is in progress and/or shortlythereafter.

[0006] Many goods, products, items, and/or objects, are shipped ordelivered on, or in, reusable shipping conveyance devices, pallets,containers, boxes, envelopes, and/or totes. Presently, there appears tobe no system or device available which can facilitate providing shipmentinformation, regarding a shipment or delivery, to interested parties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method forproviding shipment information which overcomes the shortfalls of theprior art. The present invention provides and apparatus and method forproviding shipment information which can be attached to, integratedwith, located and/or positioned on, and/or located and/or positioned in,a shipment conveyance device, a pallet, a container, a tote, and/or anyshipment conveyance structure or apparatus.

[0008] The present invention also provides an apparatus and method forproviding and/or for processing information regarding a shipment ofgoods, products, items, entities, objects, and/or any other entitieswhich can be shipped and/or transported via any of the herein-describedshipment conveyance devices, pallets, containers, totes, and/or anyshipment conveyance structures or apparatuses.

[0009] The present invention can be utilized on, positioned on,positioned in, located on, located in, integrated with, built-into, orutilized in conjunction with, any of the herein-described shipmentconveyance devices, pallets, containers, totes, and/or any shipmentconveyance structures or apparatuses.

[0010] The present invention also provides a system for utilizing theapparatus and method of the present invention in conjunction with acarrier computer, a sender or shipping entity computer, a receiver orreceiving entity computer, and/or a central processing computer, forfacilitating use of the apparatus and method of the present invention ina network environment.

[0011] The present invention can be utilized in conjunction withshipment conveyance devices, pallets, containers, totes, and/or anyshipment conveyance structures or apparatuses, of any size, kind, ortype.

[0012] The present invention includes a shipment conveyance device, apallet, a container, a tote, and/or any shipment conveyance structure,and a shipment conveyance device computer.

[0013] The present invention can also include a carrier computer orcommunication device which is associated with the carrier which isutilized to transport the shipment conveyance device.

[0014] The present invention can also include a sender or shippingentity computer or communication device which is associated with the asender or shipping entity who or which is effecting shipment of therespective goods, products, items, entities, objects, and/or any otherentities, which can be shipped on, in, or in conjunction with, theshipment conveyance devices.

[0015] The present invention also includes a receiver or receivingentity computer or communication device which is associated with the areceiver or receiving entity who or which is receiving shipment of therespective goods, products, items, entities, objects, and/or any otherentities, which can be shipped on, in, or in conjunction with, theshipment conveyance devices.

[0016] The present invention can also include a central processingcomputer which can be utilized to administer, manage, and/or control,the operation of the system and/or any of the shipment conveyance devicecomputers, the carrier computers, the sender computers, and/or thereceiver computers.

[0017] The shipment conveyance device computers, carrier computers,sender computers, receiver computers, and/or central processingcomputers, can communicate with, transmit information to, and/or receiveinformation from, any shipment conveyance device computers, carriercomputers, sender computers, receiver computers, and/or centralprocessing computers, over any suitable communication network or system,including, but not limited to a telephone network, a telecommunicationnetwork, a digital communication network, a satellite communicationnetwork, a wireless communication network, a personal communicationservices network, a broadband communication network, a bluetoothcommunication network, the Internet, the World Wide Web, and/or anyother communication network and/or system.

[0018] The present invention can be utilized on, over, and/or inconjunction with, any suitable communication network or system,including, but not limited to a telephone network, a telecommunicationnetwork, a digital communication network, a satellite communicationnetwork, a wireless communication network, a personal communicationservices network, a broadband communication network, a bluetoothcommunication network, the Internet, the World Wide Web, and/or anyother communication network and/or system.

[0019] Any of the shipping conveyance device computers, the carriercomputers, the sender computers, the receiver computers, and/or thecentral processing computers, can include, a central processing unit(CPU), a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), an inputdevice, a reading or scanning device, a display device, a receiver, atransmitter, a database, and an output device, and/or any other devicesneeded and/or desired for performing the functions of the respectivecomputers.

[0020] The shipment conveyance device computer can also include a globalpositioning device which can be utilized in order to determine theposition and/or location of the shipment conveyance device computer. Theshipment conveyance device computer can also include a sensor devicewhich be utilized in order to monitor and/or to measure temperature,impact forces, and/or other environmental activity and/or other activityinvolving the shipment conveyance device computer.

[0021] The present invention can be utilized on, in, and/or inconjunction with shipment conveyance devices, pallets, containers,refrigerated containers, protective containers, totes, boxes, envelopes,bags, canvas bags, and/or any shipment conveyance structures orapparatuses, of any size, kind, or type.

[0022] The present invention can be utilized on, in, and/or inconjunction with, shipment conveyance devices can also be cargocontainers or any type, kind, shape, or size, which can be utilizedtrucks, cars, vehicles, trains, boats, ships, marine vessels, aircraft,airplanes, of any kind or type for performing ground, sea and air,transport. The shipping conveyance device computer can be attached to,built into, integrated with, and/or placed inside, the shippingconveyance device.

[0023] The present invention can be utilized in order to provideinformation regarding a shipment or delivery to any one or more of acarrier or transporter of the shipment, to the receiver or receivingentity of the shipment, and/or to the central processing computer and/orto the operator or administrator of the present invention.

[0024] The present invention can also be utilized in order to access theshipment conveyance device computer, via any one or more of therespective carrier computer(s), sender computer(s), receivercomputer(s), and/or the central processing computer(s), and to obtaininformation regarding the shipment from the shipment conveyance devicecomputer.

[0025] The present invention can also provide location informationand/or position information regarding the shipment. The presentinvention can also provide status updates to any one or more of thecarrier, the sender, the receiver, and/or an administrator, regardingthe shipment.

[0026] The present invention can also generate status messages which cancontain information regarding the shipment. The present invention canalso transmit the status messages to any of the respective carriercomputers, the sender computer(s), the receiver computer(s), and/or thecentral processing computer(s)

[0027] Upon the delivery of the shipment, the present invention can beutilized in order to access and obtain information from the shipmentconveyance device computer.

[0028] The present invention can also generate a shipment deliverymessage and transmit same to any one or more of the carrier computer(s),the sender computer(s), the receiver computer(s), and/or the centralprocessing computer(s).

[0029] The present invention can also be utilized in order to providenotification to any one or more of a sender, a carrier, a receiver,and/or an administrator, of any one or more of a lost shipment, anoff-track shipment, a delayed shipment, a damaged shipment, and/or amis-delivered shipment.

[0030] The present invention can await the detection of a processingevent and generate an appropriate notification message in order toprovide notification to any one or more of the carrier, the sender, thereceiver, and/or the administrator, of the detected processing event.

[0031] In another preferred embodiment, the apparatus and method of thepresent invention can be utilized in order to verify that a shipment isbeing delivered to the proper receiver.

[0032] The present invention can determine whether a receiver is thecorrect receiver for receiving the shipment. If the receiver is not thecorrect receiver of the shipment, the present invention can generate anappropriate signal or stimulus which can be provided to the receiver orthe carrier. The present invention can also cancel the delivery andgenerate and transmit, to a respective party or parties, a mis-deliverednotification message indicating that the receiver is not the correctreceiver.

[0033] If the present invention determines that the receiver is thecorrect receiver, the present invention can generate an appropriatesignal or stimulus which can be provided to the receiver or the carrier.The present invention can also generate a delivery notification messageand transmit same, to a respective party or parties, indicating that thereceiver is the correct receiver and/or that delivery of the shipmenthas been effected.

[0034] The present invention can also be utilized in order to generateand/or process information regarding an insurance claim involving ashipment which has been lost, stolen, damaged, and/or mis-delivered,during shipment, transport, and/or delivery, by the carrier.

[0035] The present invention can await the detection of a processingevent which can lead to the filing of an insurance claim regarding orrelating to the shipment. The present invention can detect theprocessing event, process information regarding same and/or relating tosame, and generate an insurance claim message which contains informationregarding the processing event and information for filing an appropriateinsurance claim.

[0036] The present invention can also transmit the insurance claimmessage to any one or more of the carrier, the sender, the receiver,and/or the administrator. The present invention can also transmit theinsurance claim message to any one or more of the carrier computer, thesender computer, the receiver computer, and/or the central processingcomputer.

[0037] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providean apparatus and method for providing shipment information.

[0038] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which can beattached to, integrated with, located and/or positioned on, and/orlocated and/or positioned in, a shipment conveyance device, a pallet, acontainer, a tote, and/or any shipment conveyance structure orapparatus.

[0039] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which canprocess information regarding a shipment of goods, products, items,entities, objects.

[0040] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which canprocess information regarding a shipment of goods, products, items,entities, objects which can be shipped and/or transported via shipmentconveyance devices, pallets, containers, totes, and/or any shipmentconveyance structures or apparatuses.

[0041] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which provides asystem for utilizing the apparatus and method of the present invention.

[0042] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which provides asystem for utilizing the apparatus and method of the present inventionin conjunction with a carrier computer, a sender or shipping entitycomputer, a receiver or receiving entity computer, and/or a centralprocessing computer.

[0043] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information in a networkenvironment.

[0044] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which can beutilized in conjunction with shipment conveyance devices, pallets,containers, totes, and/or any shipment conveyance structures orapparatuses, of any size, kind, or type.

[0045] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which can beutilized on, or over, any one or more of a telephone network, atelecommunication network, a digital communication network, a satellitecommunication network, a wireless communication network, a personalcommunication services network, a broadband communication network, abluetooth communication network, and/or any communication network.

[0046] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which can beutilized on, or over, the Internet and/or the World Wide Web.

[0047] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which can beutilized in conjunction with a global positioning system.

[0048] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which can beutilized in conjunction with a locating and/or positioning system.

[0049] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which can beutilized to determine the position and/or location of the a shipment.

[0050] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which can beutilized to determine the position and/or location of the a shipmentconveyance device or a shipment conveyance device computer.

[0051] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which can beutilized to monitor and/or to measure temperature, impact forces, and/orother environmental activity and/or other activity involving the ashipment, a shipment conveyance device, or a shipment conveyance devicecomputer.

[0052] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which can beutilized in conjunction with any one or more of ground, land, rail, sea,water, and air, shipments or deliveries.

[0053] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which can beutilized in order to provide information regarding a shipment to asender of the shipment, to a carrier of the shipment, or a receiver ofthe shipment.

[0054] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which can beutilized in order to access a shipment conveyance device computer.

[0055] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which can beutilized in order to access and obtain information from a shipmentconveyance device computer.

[0056] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which canprovide status information, updates, or messages, regarding a shipment.

[0057] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which canprovide status information, updates, or messages, regarding a shipmentto a carrier, a sender, or a receiver, of a shipment.

[0058] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which canprovide shipment delivery information or messages regarding a shipment.

[0059] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which canprovide shipment delivery information or messages regarding a shipmentto a carrier, a sender, or a receiver, of a shipment.

[0060] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which canprovide notification of a lost shipment, an off-track shipment, adelayed shipment, a damaged shipment, or a mis-delivered shipment, to asender, a carrier, or a receiver, of a shipment.

[0061] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which can detecta processing event.

[0062] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which canprovide a notification message to a sender, carrier, or receiver, inresponse to a detection of a processing event.

[0063] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which can beutilized in order to verify that a shipment is being delivered to thecorrect receiver.

[0064] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which candetermine whether a receiver is the correct receiver for receiving ashipment.

[0065] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which can cancela delivery of a shipment upon determining that a receiver is not thecorrect receiver of a shipment.

[0066] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which provideinformation of a delivery of a shipment to a wrong party.

[0067] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which candetermine that a shipment is delivered to a correct party.

[0068] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which provides adelivery notification message.

[0069] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which provides adelivery notification message to a sender, a carrier, or a receiver, ofa shipment.

[0070] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which providesinformation regarding an insurance claim involving a shipment which hasbeen lost, stolen, damaged, and/or mis-delivered.

[0071] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which can filean insurance claim regarding or relating to a shipment.

[0072] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which can detecta processing event which gives rise to a filing of an insurance claim

[0073] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing shipment information which canprovide an insurance claim message to a carrier, a sender, a receiver,or an insurer.

[0074] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will beapparent to those skilled in the art upon a review of the Description ofthe Preferred Embodiments taken in conjunction with the Drawings whichfollow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0075] In the Drawings:

[0076]FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of the system in which theapparatus and method of the present invention can be utilized;

[0077]FIG. 2 illustrates the shipment conveyance device computer of FIG.1, in block diagram form;

[0078]FIG. 3 illustrates a pallet in conjunction with which the shipmentconveyance device computer, and/or the system of the present invention,can be utilized;

[0079]FIG. 4 illustrates a container in conjunction with which theshipment conveyance device computer, and/or the system of the presentinvention, can be utilized;

[0080]FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred embodiment method for utilizing theapparatus and method of the present invention, in flow diagram form;

[0081]FIG. 6 illustrates another preferred embodiment method ofutilizing the apparatus and method of the present invention, in flowdiagram form;

[0082]FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate another preferred embodiment method ofutilizing the apparatus and method of the present invention, in flowdiagram form; and

[0083]FIG. 8 illustrates another preferred embodiment method ofutilizing the apparatus and method of the present invention, in flowdiagram form.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0084] The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method forproviding shipment information and, in particular, to an apparatus andmethod for providing shipment information which can be attached to,integrated with, located and/or positioned on, and/or located and/orpositioned in, a shipment conveyance device, a pallet, a container, atote, and/or any shipment conveyance structure or apparatus.

[0085] The present invention provides an apparatus and method forproviding and/or for processing information regarding a shipment ofgoods, products, items, entities, objects, and/or any other entitieswhich can be shipped and/or transported via any of the herein-describedshipment conveyance devices, pallets, containers, totes, and/or anyshipment conveyance structures or apparatuses.

[0086] The apparatus and method of the present invention can be utilizedon, positioned on, positioned in, located on, located in, integratedwith, built-into, or utilized in conjunction with, any of theherein-described shipment conveyance devices, pallets, containers,totes, and/or any shipment conveyance structures or apparatuses. In thismanner, the present invention provides a shipment conveyance device, apallet, a container, a tote, and/or any shipment conveyance structure orapparatus, which includes an apparatus for providing shipmentinformation.

[0087] The present invention also provides a system for utilizing theapparatus and method of the present invention in conjunction with acarrier computer, a sender or shipping entity computer, a receiver orreceiving entity computer, and/or a central processing computer, forfacilitating use of the apparatus and method of the present invention ina network environment.

[0088] The present invention can be utilized in conjunction withshipment conveyance devices, pallets, containers, totes, and/or anyshipment conveyance structures or apparatuses, of any size, kind, ortype.

[0089] As used herein, the term “shipment conveyance device”, or theplural of same, refers to any shipment conveyance devices, pallets,containers, refrigerated containers, protective containers, railroadcontained, tractor trailer containers, air freight containers, marinevessel shipment containers, totes, boxes, envelopes, bags, canvas bags,luggage, baggage, and/or any shipment conveyance structures orapparatuses, of any size, kind, or type.

[0090] As used herein, the terms “sender”, “sending entity”, “shipper”,or the plural of same, refers to any senders, sending entities,shippers, shipper entities, merchants, vendor, goods providers, productsproviders, services providers, individuals, or entities, or theemployees or agents of same, who or which can provide for a shipment orany good(s), product(s), or service(s).

[0091] As used herein, the terms “carrier”, “transporter”, “shipper”,“shipping service provider”, “deliverer”, delivery provider”, or likeentity, or the plural of same, refers to any carriers, transporters,shippers, shipping service providers, deliverers, delivery providers,individuals, entities, or like entities, or the employees or agents ofsame, who or which provide for the shipment, transport, or delivery, viaany one or more of ground or land transportation, rail transportation,water or sea transportation, air transportation, underwatertransportation, and/or manned and/or unmanned transportation, of any ofthe herein-described goods, products, and/or services, which aredescribed herein as being shipped or sent by any of the herein-describedsenders or sending entities.

[0092] As used herein, the terms “receiver”, “receiving entity”, or theplural of same, refers to any receivers, receiving entities, customers,clients, individuals, entities, and/or other like entities, or theemployees or agents of same, who or which receive any of theherein-described goods, products, and/or services, which are describedherein as being shipped or sent by any of the herein-described sendersor sending entities.

[0093] As defined herein, the terms “operator”, “administrator”, or likeentity, or the plural of same, refers to any operators, administrators,individuals, or entities, or the employees or agents of same, who orwhich operate, or administer the operation of, any of the centralprocessing computers and/or the apparatus and method of the presentinvention.

[0094] Applicant hereby incorporates by reference herein the subjectmatter and teachings of U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No.60/263,877 which teaches and discloses an apparatus and method forproviding shipment information.

[0095]FIG. 1 illustrates a system in which the apparatus and method ofthe present invention can be utilized. The system of FIG. 1 isdesignated generally by the reference numeral 100. The system 100 ofFIG. 1 includes a shipment conveyance device, a pallet, a container, atote, and/or any shipment conveyance structure 10 (hereinafter referredto as a “shipment conveyance device 10”, “pallet 10”, or “container 10”.The system 100 also includes a shipment conveyance device computer 20which can be attached to, built into, integrated into, and/or locatedinside, the shipment conveyance device 10.

[0096] With reference to FIG. 1, the system 100 also includes a carriercomputer or communication device 30 (hereinafter referred to as the“carrier computer 30”) which is associated with the carrier which isutilized to transport the shipment conveyance device 10. The carriercomputer 30 can be any one or more of a computer, a computer system, agroup of computers, a telephone, a personal computer, a wirelesstelephone, a personal digital assistant, a video telephone, a personalcommunication device, a wireless device, a handheld device, a palm-topdevice, and/or any other communication device(s) and/or computer(s).

[0097] The carrier computer 30 can be located at, or in, the carriervehicle. The carrier computer 30 can also be located at, or in, aregional or central carrier office. The carrier computer 30 can also bea wireless or hand-held device which can be a mobile device.

[0098] With reference to FIG. 1, the system 100 also includes a senderor shipping entity computer or communication device 40 (hereinafterreferred to as the “sender computer 40”) which is associated with the asender or shipping entity who or which is effecting shipment of therespective goods, products, items, entities, objects, and/or any otherentities, which can be shipped on, in , or in conjunction with, theshipment conveyance devices 10.

[0099] The sender computer 40 can be any one or more of a computer, acomputer system, a group of computers, a telephone, a personal computer,a wireless telephone, a personal digital assistant, a video telephone, apersonal communication device, a wireless device, a handheld device, apalm-top device, and/or any other communication device(s) and/orcomputer(s).

[0100] With reference to FIG. 1, the system 100 also includes a receiveror receiving entity computer or communication device 50 (hereinafterreferred to as the “receiver computer 50”) which is associated with thea receiver or receiving entity who or which is receiving shipment of therespective goods, products, items, entities, objects, and/or any otherentities, which can be shipped on, in, or in conjunction with, theshipment conveyance devices 10.

[0101] The receiver computer 50 can be any one or more of a computer, acomputer system, a group of computers, a telephone, a personal computer,a wireless telephone, a personal digital assistant, a video telephone, apersonal communication device, a wireless device, a handheld device, apalm-top device, and/or any other communication device(s) and/orcomputer(s).

[0102] With reference to FIG. 1, the system 100 also includes a centralprocessing computer 60 which can be utilized to administer, manage,and/or control, the operation of the system 100 and/or any of theshipment conveyance device computers 20, the carrier computers 30, thesender computers 40, and/or the receiver computers 50, described herein.

[0103] The central processing computer 60 can be a computer, a computersystem, a network computer, a server computer, and/or a communicationdevice, and/or any combination of same.

[0104] The central processing computer 60 can service any number of theherein-described shipment conveyance devices 10, shipment conveyancedevice computers 20, carrier computers 30, sender computers 40, and/orreceiver computers 50.

[0105] The system 100 can include any number of shipment conveyancedevices 10, shipment conveyance device computers 20, carrier computers30, sender computers 40, receiver computers 50, and/or centralprocessing computers 60.

[0106] The herein-described shipment conveyance device computers 20,carrier computers 30, sender computers 40, receiver computers 50, and/orcentral processing computers 60, can communicate with, transmitinformation to, and/or receive information from, any shipment conveyancedevice computers 20, carrier computers 30, sender computers 40, receivercomputers 50, and/or central processing computers 60, over any suitablecommunication network or system, including, but not limited to atelephone network, a telecommunication network, a digital communicationnetwork, a satellite communication network, a wireless communicationnetwork, a personal communication services network, a broadbandcommunication network, a bluetooth communication network, the Internet,the World Wide Web, and/or any other communication network and/orsystem.

[0107] The system 100 can be utilized on, over, and/or in conjunctionwith, any suitable communication network or system, including, but notlimited to a telephone network, a telecommunication network, a digitalcommunication network, a satellite communication network, a wirelesscommunication network, a personal communication services network, abroadband communication network, a bluetooth communication network, theInternet, the World Wide Web, and/or any other communication networkand/or system.

[0108] Any of the carrier computers 30, sender computers 40, receivercomputers 50, and/or central processing computers 60, can include, whereappropriate and/or where suitable, a central processing unit (CPU) , arandom access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), an input device, areading or scanning device, a display device, a receiver, a transmitter,a database, and an output device. Any of the carrier computers 30,sender computers 40, and/or receiver computers 50, can also contain anyother devices or peripherals needed and/or desired for programming theshipment conveyance computers 20, depositing or programming informationinto the shipment conveyance computers 20, and/or reading or extractinginformation from the shipment conveyance computers 20.

[0109]FIG. 2 illustrates the shipment conveyance device computer 20 ofFIG. 1, in block diagram form. The shipment conveyance device computer20 can provide and/or perform any of the processing routines orfunctionality described herein.

[0110] With reference to FIG. 2, the shipment conveyance device computer20 includes a central processing unit or CPU 20A, which in the preferredembodiment, is a microprocessor. The CPU 20A can also be amicrocomputer, a minicomputer, a macro-computer, and/or a mainframecomputer, depending upon the application.

[0111] The shipment conveyance device computer 20 also includes a randomaccess memory device(s) 20B (RAM) and a read only memory device(s) 20C(ROM), each of which is connected to the CPU 20A.

[0112] The shipment conveyance device computer 20 can also include aninput device 20D, for entering data, information, and/or commands intothe shipment conveyance device computer 20. The input device can be orcan include any one of more of a keyboard, a pointing device, such as,for example, a mouse or a touch pad, etc., a scanner, a scanning device,a reading device for reading data and/or information provided from ascanner, a data and/or information reading device, a reader, a cardreader, a magnetic stripe card reader, a bar code reader, an opticalreader, and/or any other input device for entering and/or for receivingdata and/or information in any form, including, but not limited to,electronic form, optical from, magnetic form, and/or in any othersuitable form or format. The input device(s) is also connected to theCPU 20A.

[0113] The shipment conveyance device computer 20 can also include adisplay device 20E, such as, for example, a display screen or device fordisplaying data and/or information to a user or other individual. Thedisplay device can be a display screen, a liquid crystal display screen,a light emitting diode screen, and/or any other appropriate and/orsuitable display device or display screen. The display device 20E candisplay any of the herein-described data and/or information which isdescribed herein as being input into, processed by, and/or output from,the shipment conveyance device computer 20.

[0114] The shipment conveyance device computer 20 also includes atransmitter(s) 20F, for transmitting signals and/or data and/orinformation from the shipment conveyance device computer 20 to any oneor more of the carrier computers 30, the sender computers 40, thereceiver computers 50, the central processing computers 60, and/or anyof the other shipment conveyance device computers 20 described herein.

[0115] The shipment conveyance device computer 20 also includes areceiver 20G, for receiving signals and/or data and/or information fromany one or more of the carrier computers 30, the sender computers 40,the receiver computers 50, the central processing computers 60, and/orany of the other shipment conveyance device computers 20 describedherein.

[0116] With reference to FIG. 2, shipment conveyance device computer 20also includes a database 20H. The database 20H can contain any data,information, software programs, software algorithms, and/or any otherinformation needed and/or desired for performing any of the processingroutines and/or functionality described herein as being performed by theshipment conveyance device computer(s) 20 and/or by the system 100.

[0117] The database 20H can contain data and/or information regardingand/or relating to the respective goods, products, items, entities,objects, and/or any other entities which are being shipped and/ortransported via the respective shipment conveyance device 10, including,but not limited to, a description of the respective goods, products,items, entities, objects, and/or any other entities, the quantity of therespective goods, products, items, entities, objects, and/or any otherentities, the sender or shipper of the respective goods, products,items, entities, the origination of the respective goods, products,items, entities, objects, and/or any other entities, the receiver orreceiving entity of the respective goods, products, items, entities,objects, and/or any other entities, the destination of the respectivegoods, products, items, entities, objects, and/or any other entities,the cost, value, or price, of the respective goods, products, items,entities, objects, and/or any other entities, the shipping cost of therespective goods, products, items, entities, objects, and/or any otherentities, the carrier, transporter, or deliverer, of the respectivegoods, products, items, entities, objects, and/or any other entities,special instructions regarding the shipment, carriage, ortransportation, of the respective goods, products, items, entities,objects, and/or any other entities, and handling instructions regardingand/or pertaining to the respective goods, products, items, entities,objects, and/or any other entities, shipping, delivery, and/or travel.

[0118] The database 20H can also contain data and/or informationregarding the shipment, handling, or delivery, instructions regardingthe respective goods, products, items, entities, objects, and/or anyother entities. For example, the database 20H can also containinformation regarding whether the respective goods, products, items,entities, objects, and/or any other entities, is or are perishable, isor are fragile, must be heated, must be refrigerated, temperaturerequirements during shipment, etc. The database 20H can also containloading and/or unloading, as well as, handling instructions duringshipment, for any of the respective goods, products, items, entities,objects, and/or any other entities.

[0119] The database 20H can also contain data and/or informationregarding invoice information regarding the shipment or delivery of therespective goods, products, items, entities, objects, and/or any otherentities, packing slip information regarding the respective goods,products, items, entities, objects, and/or any other entities, insuranceinformation regarding the respective goods, products, items, entities,objects, and/or any other entities, and expected or projected deliverytime information regarding the respective goods, products, items,entities, objects, and/or any other entities.

[0120] The database 20H can also contain data and/or informationregarding the from and/or manner of payment and/or payment instructions(i.e. cash on delivery, electronic payment on delivery, allowed creditamount, payment due information , payment due by information, sender'sfinancial account information, etc.)

[0121] The database 20H can also contain position information, locationinformation, digitized map data and/or information, and/or any otherinformation which can be utilized by, or in conjunction with, the globalpositioning device 20J.

[0122] The database 20H can also contain data and/or informationregarding the location or position of stops made by the carrier,transporter, or deliverer, of the respective shipment conveyance device10 and/or the shipment conveyance device computer 20, during thetransportation of the respective goods, products, items, entities,objects, and/or any other entities, and the respective shipmentconveyance device 10, during the shipment, transportation, or delivery,of same from its point of origin to its delivery destination.

[0123] The database 20H can also contain data and/or informationregarding the travel log for the respective goods, products, items,entities, objects, and/or any other entities, and/or for the respectiveshipment conveyance device(s) 10, and/or the time in transit, distancetraveled, etc., for or regarding the goods, products, items, entities,objects, and/or any other entities, and/or for the respective shipmentconveyance device(s) 10. The database 20H can also contain data and/orinformation regarding the usage history of the respective shipmentconveyance device(s) 10, including, but limited to, the time deployed inservice, the number of times used, and/or the service time or servicehistory since initial deployment.

[0124] The database 20H can also contain data and/or informationregarding the maintenance history of the respective shipment conveyancedevice(s) 10 and/or shipment conveyance device computer 20.

[0125] The database 20H can also contain data and/or information,including software programs and/or algorithms, for facilitatingcommunication of the shipment conveyance device computer 20 with any ofthe herein-described carrier computers 30, sender computers 40, receivercomputers 50, central processing computers 60, and/or any other theshipment conveyance device computer 20. The database 20H can alsocontain data and/or information, including software programs and/oralgorithms, for facilitating data and/or information transmissionbetween, from, and/or to, respectively, the shipment conveyance devicecomputer 20 and any of the herein-described carrier computers 30, sendercomputers 40, receiver computers 50, central processing computers 60,and/or any other the shipment conveyance device computer 20.

[0126] The database 20H can also contain an electronic signature,electronic signatures, and/or electronic signature information for,regarding, and/or relating to, any of the herein-described senders,sending entities, shippers, carriers, transporters, delivery serviceproviders, receivers, receiving entities, and/or any other individuals,parties, and/or entities, which or which may utilize the shipmentconveyance device computer 20 and/or who or which may be involved in ashipment, transport, and/or delivery, involving same. The electronicsignature, electronic signatures, and/or electronic signatureinformation, can be utilized and/or processed in the processing and/orconsummation of any transactions involving any respective partiesinvolved in any of the herein-described shipment, transporting, and/ordelivery, activities.

[0127] The database 20H can also contain electronic payment information,electronic and/or digital money information, payment identificationinformation, credit account information, credit card accountinformation, charge account information, charge card accountinformation, debit account information, debit card account information,electronic money account information, letter of credit information,financial account information, for, corresponding to, and/or relatingto, any of respective parties involved in any of the herein-describedshipment, transporting, and/or delivery, activities.

[0128] The database 20H can also contain any other data and/orinformation for facilitating the processing of, the consummation of,and/or the execution or, financial transactions between and/or involvingany of the respective parties involved in any of the herein-describedshipment, transporting, and/or delivery, activities.

[0129] The database 20H can also contain any other data and/orinformation needed and/or desired for facilitating the operation of theapparatus and method of the present invention as described herein.

[0130] Any of the herein-described data and/or information which can bestored in the database 20H can be input into the shipment conveyancedevice computer 20 and/or can be programmed into and/or pre-stored inthe database 20H.

[0131] With reference once again to FIG. 2, the shipment conveyancedevice computer 20 can also include an output device 20I such as aprinter, a modem, a fax/modem, a reader/transmitter device for providingdata and/or information to an external scanner, a reader, or otherreading and/or receiving device, a card reader/transmitter device forproviding data and/or information to an external scanner, a cardreader/transmitter device for providing data and/or information to anexternal scanner, a reader, or other reading and/or receiving device, amagnetic card reader/transmitter device for providing data and/orinformation to an external scanner, a reader, or other reading and/orreceiving device, an optical a card reader/transmitter device forproviding data and/or information to an external scanner, a reader, orother reading and/or receiving device, an electronic datareader/transmitter device for providing data and/or information to anexternal scanner, a reader, or other reading and/or receiving device, areader/transmitter device for providing data and/or information to anexternal scanner, a reader, or other reading and/or receiving device,and/or any other reading and/or receiving device and/or output device,for outputting information to any one or more of a carrier, a shipper, atransporter, a sender, and/or a receiver, and/or any respective readingor scanning device associated therewith or utilized thereby, who orwhich utilizes the apparatus and method of the present invention.

[0132] The output device 20I can also be a programmable bar code displaydevice or other code display device which can be displayed and which canbe reader by an appropriate bar code reader or code reader. In thepreferred embodiment, the bar code display device or other code displaydevice can provide a code, bar code or otherwise, through a glare-proofscreen. The bar code or other code can be provide information regardingthe data and/or information being output from the shipment conveyancedevice computer 20.

[0133] The displayed code can also be a dynamically changing code whichcan contain the data and/or information which is currently being output.In this regard, for example, the shipment conveyance device computer 20can output various data and/or information via the same output device20I by utilizing a multitude of bar codes or codes.

[0134] The output device 20I can also be a speaker for providing anaudio signal or audible stimulus, indication, and/or information, to auser and/or can also be a light or lighting device for providing avisual signal or visual stimulus, indication, and/or information, to auser.

[0135] The shipment conveyance device computer 20 can also include aglobal positioning device 20J which can be utilized in order todetermine the position and/or location of the shipment conveyance devicecomputer 20.

[0136] The shipment conveyance device computer 20 can also include asensor device 20K which can be any one of more of a thermometer formeasuring and/or monitoring shipping temperature, a shock detectiondevice for measuring and/or monitoring shocks, impacts, and/or otherforces which may be exerted on the shipment conveyance device 10, and/ora proximity detection device for monitoring and/or detecting thephysical proximity of the shipment conveyance device 10 and/or theshipment conveyance device computer 20 with any one or more of any othershipment conveyance device 10, shipment conveyance device computer 20,carrier computer 30, sender computer 40, and/or receiver computer 50.

[0137] The sensor device 20K can also include multiple sensing elementswhich can be placed at various locations in, on, and/or in conjunctionwith the shipment conveyance device 10. Each of the multiple sensingelements can be utilized in order to sense or detect if the shipmentconveyance device 10 has been damaged and/or broken and/or otherwisecompromised.

[0138] The apparatus and method of the present invention, and/orparticular, the shipment conveyance device computer 20, can be utilizedon, in, and/or in conjunction with shipment conveyance devices, pallets,containers, refrigerated containers, protective containers, totes,boxes, envelopes, bags, canvas bags, and/or any shipment conveyancestructures or apparatuses, of any size, kind, or type.

[0139] The apparatus and method of the present invention can be utilizedon, in, and/or in conjunction with shipment conveyance devices can alsobe cargo containers or any type, kind, shape, or size, which can beutilized trucks, cars, vehicles, trains, boats, ships, marine vessels,aircraft, airplanes, of any kind or type for performing ground, sea andair, transport. The shipping conveyance device computer 20 can beattached to, built into, integrated with, and/or placed inside, theshipping conveyance device 10. For example, the shipping conveyancedevice computer 20 can be built into, or be an integrated component of,a pallet, container, or shipping structure. The shipping conveyancedevice computer 20 can also be inside a box, container, tote bag, canvastote bag, piece of baggage, etc. so as to be placed with the contents ofthe shipment.

[0140]FIG. 3 illustrates a pallet in conjunction with which the shipmentconveyance device computer 20, and/or the system 100 of the presentinvention, can be utilized. The pallet can be constructed and/ormanufactured from plastic, rubber, wood, metal, and/or any othersuitable material(s), combination of the above-described materials,and/or composites of the above-described materials.

[0141] The pallet illustrated in FIG. 3 is an example of a pallet withwhich the apparatus and method of the present invention can be utilized.The apparatus and method of the present invention can also be utilizedwith pallets of any kind, type, shape, or size.

[0142] In the preferred embodiment, the shipment conveyance devicecomputer 20 can be placed in any portion or member of the pallet, in arecessed or molded space in or on any portion or member of the pallet.For example, a member component of the pallet can be manufactured suchthat the shipment conveyance device computer 20 can be placed thereon orthereon in any appropriate manner. In a preferred embodiment, theshipment conveyance device computer 20 can be placed or located in amanner so as to avoid damage thereto or interference therewith.

[0143] In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3, the shipment conveyancedevice computer 20 is located at the position shown on the pallet 10.

[0144]FIG. 4 illustrates a container in conjunction with which theshipment conveyance device computer 20, and/or the system 100 of thepresent invention, can be utilized. The container can be constructedand/or manufactured from plastic, rubber, wood, metal, and/or any othersuitable material(s), combination of the above-described materials,and/or composites of the above-described materials. The container can beany type of container and can be a general purpose container, arefrigerated container, a heated container, an insulated containerand/or any other type of container which can be utilized in order toship any of the herein-described goods, products, items, entities,objects, and/or any other entities which can be shipped and/ortransported via any of the herein-described shipment conveyance devices,pallets, containers, totes, and/or any shipment conveyance structures orapparatuses.

[0145] The container illustrated in FIG. 4 is an example of a containerwith which the apparatus and method of the present invention can beutilized. The apparatus and method of the present invention can also beutilized with containers of any kind, type, shape, or size.

[0146] In the preferred embodiment, the shipment conveyance devicecomputer 20 can be placed in any portion or member of the container, ina recessed or molded space in or on any portion or member of thecontainer. For example, a member component of the container can bemanufactured such that the shipment conveyance device computer 20 can beplaced thereon or thereon in any appropriate manner. In a preferredembodiment, the shipment conveyance device computer 20 can be placed orlocated in a manner so as to avoid damage thereto or interferencetherewith.

[0147] In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 4, the shipment conveyancedevice computer 20 is located at the position shown on the container 10.

[0148] The apparatus and method of the present invention, as well as thesystem 100 of the present invention can be utilized in a number ofpreferred embodiments in order to provide shipment information.

[0149] The present invention, in a preferred embodiment, can be utilizedin order to provide information regarding a shipment or delivery to anyone or more of a carrier or transporter of the shipment, to the receiveror receiving entity of the shipment, and/or to the central processingcomputer 60 and/or to the operator or administrator of the system of thepresent invention.

[0150]FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred embodiment method for utilizing theapparatus and method of the present invention, in flow diagram form. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 5, the sender of a shipment of goods, products,items, entities, objects, and/or any other entities, can storeinformation regarding the shipment in the shipment conveyance devicecomputer 20.

[0151] The sender can input information into the shipment conveyancedevice computer 20 manually via the input device 20D, electronically viathe receiver 20G, and/or via any combination of manual data entry andelectronic data entry.

[0152] The information can thereafter be retrieved by the carrier of theshipment and/or by the receiver of the shipment. With reference to FIG.5, the operation of the system 100 commences at step 5.

[0153] At step 501, the sender of the shipment can load the respectivegoods, products, items, entities, objects, and/or any other entities,onto or into the shipment conveyance device 10 which can, for example,be a pallet or container.

[0154] At step 501, the sender can also enter data and/or informationconcerning or pertaining to the shipment into the shipment conveyancedevice computer 20. The data and/or information which is entered intothe shipment conveyance device computer 20 can be any of the data and/orinformation described herein as being stored in the database 20H. Inthis regard, the sender can enter data and/or information regarding andone or more data and/or information regarding and/or relating to therespective goods, products, items, entities, or objects, a descriptionof the respective goods, products, items, entities, or objects, thequantity of the respective goods, products, items, entities, or objects,the sender or shipper of the respective goods, products, items,entities, or objects, the origination of the respective goods, products,items, entities, or objects, the receiver or receiving entity of therespective goods, products, items, entities, or objects, the destinationof the respective goods, products, items, entities, or objects, thecost, value, or price, of the respective goods, products, items,entities, or objects, the shipping cost of the respective goods,products, items, entities, or objects, the carrier, transporter, ordeliverer, of the respective goods, products, items, entities, orobject, and/or special instructions regarding the shipment, handling,carriage, or transportation, of the respective goods, products, items,entities, or objects.

[0155] The sender can also enter data and/or information regarding anyone or more of invoice information regarding the shipment or delivery ofthe respective goods, products, items, entities, or objects, packingslip information regarding the respective goods, products, items,entities, or objects, insurance information regarding the respectivegoods, products, items, entities, or objects, expected or projecteddelivery time information regarding the shipment, position information,location information, digitized map data and/or information, informationregarding the location or position of stops made by the carrier,transporter, or deliverer, of the shipment, electronic signature,electronic signatures, and/or electronic signature information for,regarding, and/or relating to, any of the herein-described senders,sending entities, shippers, carriers, transporters, delivery serviceproviders, receivers, receiving entities, and/or any other individuals,parties, and/or entities, which or which may involved in the shipment asa sender, carrier, and/or receiver.

[0156] The sender can also enter data and/or information regarding anyone or more of data and/or information regarding the from and/or mannerof payment and/or payment instructions (i.e. cash on delivery,electronic payment on delivery, allowed credit amount, payment dueinformation, payment due by information, sender's financial accountinformation, etc.), electronic payment information, electronic and/ordigital money information, payment identification information, creditaccount information, credit card account information, charge accountinformation, charge card account information, debit account information,debit card account information, electronic money account information,letter of credit information, financial account information, for,corresponding to, and/or relating to, any of respective parties involvedin shipment.

[0157] The data and/or information entered into the shipment conveyancedevice computer 20, at step 501, can be processed and/or stored in thedatabase 20H. At step 502, the shipment conveyance device 10 is providedto the carrier. At step 503, the shipment conveyance device 10 can betransported to its destination.

[0158] At any time during the transport of the shipment conveyancedevice, at step 503, any one or more of the carrier, the sender, thereceiver, and/or the central processing computer administrator, canaccess the shipment conveyance computer 20 via the respective carriercomputer(s) 30, sender computer(s) 40, receiver computer(s) 50, centralprocessing computer(s) 60.

[0159] At any time, the sender can also access the shipment conveyancedevice computer 20 via the respective sender computer 40 and transmitdata and/or information to the shipment conveyance device computer 20.The sender can transmit new data and/or information, and/or changesand/or updates to previously entered data and/or information, to theshipment conveyance device computer 20. The data and/or information, orchanges and/or updates thereto, which can be entered and/or transmittedby the sender computer 40 to the shipment conveyance device computer 20can be any of the data and/or information described herein as beingentered and/or provided by the sender and/or can be any data and/orinformation which is described as being stored in the database 20H.

[0160] The respective carrier, sender, receiver, or administrator, canobtain any of the herein-described information which is stored in theshipment conveyance device computer 20, any of the herein-described dataand/or information which is entered into the shipment conveyance devicecomputer 20 at the time or point of shipment, position or locationinformation and/or global positioning information of the shipment,information regarding the state of the shipment which can include thetemperature of the shipment, shock damage to the shipment, time left tospoilage, damage to the shipment conveyance device 10, and/or any otherinformation which can be detected, obtained, and/or processed by, theshipment conveyance device computer 20. For example, the respectivecarrier, sender, receiver, or administrator, can ascertain where ashipment is, the carrier containing the shipment, the location of theshipment, the contents of the shipment, the physical state or conditionof the shipment and/or any other information which can be provided bythe shipment conveyance device computer 20 and/or the system of thepresent invention.

[0161] At step 503, the shipment conveyance device computer 20 can alsoprovide status updates to any one or more of the carrier, the sender,the receiver, and/or the administrator, which can contain any of theabove-described information which is described herein as being obtainedby any of the respective entities or individuals. For example, theshipment conveyance device computer 20 which can be programmed toprovide shipment location updates, shipment status updates, etc., cangenerate status messages regarding its position or locations, stops madeby the carrier, and/or the temperature of the shipment, impacts receivedby the shipment conveyance device 10, and/or other information.

[0162] The status messages can be generated and transmitted to therespective carrier computer 30, the sender computer(s) 40, the receivercomputer(s) 50, and/or the central processing computer(s) 60, atpre-designated time intervals, and/or upon the occurrence of apre-specified event (i.e. a stop made by the carrier, an impact duringan accident, an unusual stopping period, a shipment temperature change,and/or any other event or occurrence relating to the shipment).

[0163] At step 504, the shipment is delivered to its destination whereit can be received by the receiver or by the receiver's agent. At step504, the carrier and/or the receiver can access the shipment conveyancedevice computer 20 can obtain, retrieve, and/or download, any of thedata and/or information stored in the database 20H of same. The dataand/or information can, for example, be information regarding thecontents and/or subject matter of the shipment, invoice information,packing slip information, sender information, carrier information,special instructions regarding the shipment and/or payment therefor, apayment receipt, and/or any other information which can be provided to acarrier or a receiver of a shipment.

[0164] The carrier or receiver can also obtain any of theherein-described information which can be stored in and/or processed bythe shipment conveyance device computer 20. In this regard, the carrieror the receiver can retrieve or download any shipment information fromthe shipment conveyance device computer 20 and/or from the shipmentconveyance device 10 carrying the shipment.

[0165] At step 504, the shipment conveyance device computer 20 can alsogenerate a shipment delivery message and transmit same, in anyappropriate form or manner, to any one or more of the carriercomputer(s) 30, the sender computer(s) 40, the receiver computer(s) 50,and/or the central processing computer(s) 60.

[0166] At step 505, any of the information obtained, retrieved, and/ordownloaded, at step 504, can be output and/or printed, in hard copyform, and/or downloaded and/or stored in electronic form, by or at anyof the respective carrier computer 30, and/or the receiver computer 50.

[0167] Thereafter, the operation of the system will cease at step 506.

[0168] In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 5, as well as in any and/orall of the other embodiments described herein, any of the messagesgenerated and transmitted by the shipment conveyance device computer 20,and/or by any of the other computers 30, 40, 50, and/or 60, can be ane-mail message, an instant messaging service message, a short message,beeper message, pager message, a telephone message, a pre-recordedtelephone message, and/or any other electronic message or electronictransmission.

[0169] In another preferred embodiment, the apparatus and method of thepresent invention can be utilized in order to provide notification toany one or more of a sender, a carrier, a receiver, and/or anadministrator, of any one or more of a lost shipment, an off-trackshipment, a delayed shipment, a damaged shipment, and/or a mis-deliveredshipment. FIG. 6 illustrates another preferred embodiment method ofutilizing the apparatus and method of the present invention, in flowdiagram form.

[0170] With reference to FIG. 6, the operation of the system 100commences at step 600. At step 601, the sender can enter or program dataand/or information into the shipment conveyance device computer 20 viathe sender computer 30 and/or in any other appropriate manner.

[0171] The data and/or information can include delivery origin positionor location information, destination position or location information,shipment travel route information, including position or locationinformation corresponding to points along the shipment travel route,carrier identification information, carrier code and/or electronicsignature information, receiver identification information, receivercode and/or electronic signature information, shipment temperaturerequirements, shipment impact tolerance information, and/or any otherdata and/or information regarding and/or relating to the shipment. Thedata and/or information entered and/or programmed into the shipmentconveyance device computer 20 can be processed and stored at step 601.

[0172] At step 602, the shipment conveyance device computer 20 can,during transport of the shipment and/or upon the delivery of theshipment to a receiver or receiving entity, await the detection of aprocessing event.

[0173] The processing event can be any one or more of the detection bythe shipment conveyance device computer 20 and, in particular, theglobal positioning device 20J, of a deviation, by more than apre-designated tolerance amount (i.e. distance measurement, mileage,etc.), of the location or position of the shipment and/or the carrier ofsame from a pre-determined transportation route (i.e. the shipmentcarrier is lost, is the wrong carrier, etc.), the detection of anunauthorized and/or the wrong carrier who or which is to transport theshipment (i.e. the detection of an unauthorized carrier code or carrierelectronic signature), the detection of an unauthorized and/or the wrongreceiver who or which is to receive the shipment and/or the detection ofa stolen shipment (i.e. the detection of an unauthorized receiver codeor receiver electronic signature, the detection of a shipment beingstolen or in the possession of the wrong party, etc.), the detection ofa shipment temperature which deviates from the shipment temperaturerequirements, and/or the detection of an impact or force of impactexperienced by the shipment conveyance device 10 (i.e. a mishandling, adropping, an accident, etc.) experienced by the shipment conveyancedevice computer 20.

[0174] At step 603, the shipment conveyance device computer 20 willgenerate an appropriate notification message in order to providenotification to any one or more of the carrier, the sender, thereceiver, and/or the administrator, of the detected processing event.The notification message can be any one or more of an e-mail message, aninstant messaging service message, a short message, beeper message,pager message, a telephone message, a pre-recorded telephone message,and/or any other electronic message or electronic transmission.

[0175] At step 604, the notification message is transmitted to any oneor more of the carrier computer 30, the sender computer 40, the receivercomputer 50, and/or the central processing computer 60.

[0176] At step 605, the information contained in the notificationmessage can be received by, and can be output and/or displayed to therespective carrier, sender, receiver, and/or administrator, on, therespective carrier computer 30, the sender computer 40, the receivercomputer 50, and/or the central processing computer 60. At step 606, anyof the information concerning the shipment and/or the processing eventcan be stored at the respective carrier computer 30, the sender computer40, the receiver computer 50, and/or the central processing computer 60.Thereafter, the operation of the system 100 can cease at step 607.

[0177] In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 6, as well as in any and/orall of the other embodiments described herein, any of the messagesgenerated and transmitted by the shipment conveyance device computer 20,and/or by any of the other computers 30, 40, 50, and/or 60, can be ane-mail message, an instant messaging service message, a short message,beeper message, pager message, a telephone message, a pre-recordedtelephone message, and/or any other electronic message or electronictransmission.

[0178] In another preferred embodiment, the apparatus and method of thepresent invention can be utilized in order to verify that a shipment isbeing delivered to the proper receiver. FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrateanother preferred embodiment method of utilizing the apparatus andmethod of the present invention, in flow diagram form.

[0179] With reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the operation of the system100 commences at step 700. At step 701, the sender can enter or programdata and/or information into the shipment conveyance device computer 20via the sender computer 30 and/or in any other appropriate manner. Thedata and/or information can include receiver identification information,receiver code and/or electronic signature information, and/or any otherof the herein-described data and/or information regarding the shipment.For example, the sender can enter a code or an electronic key or otherinformation which, when processed in conjunction with a code or anelectronic key entered by a receiver, upon delivery of the shipment tosame, can be utilized in order to verify that the shipment has beendelivered to the correct receiver. The data and/or information enteredand/or programmed into the shipment conveyance device computer 20 can beprocessed and stored at step 701.

[0180] At step, 702, the shipment conveyance device 10 can be shipped,transported, and/or delivered, to the receiver.

[0181] At step 703, the receiver can access the shipment conveyancedevice computer 20 via a receiver computer 50 and/or via the inputdevice 20D of the shipment conveyance device computer 20. At step 703,the receiver can input its code or electronic key into the shipmentconveyance device computer 20. At step 704, the shipment conveyancedevice computer 20 can process the receiver entered code or electronickey and process same in conjunction with the data and/or informationentered into the shipment conveyance device computer 20 by the sender atstep 701.

[0182] At step 705, the shipment conveyance device computer 20 willdetermine whether the receiver is the correct receiver for receiving theshipment. If, at step 705, the shipment conveyance device computer 20determines that the receiver is not the correct receiver of theshipment, the operation of the shipment conveyance device computer 20will proceed to step 706 and the shipment conveyance device computer 20will generate an appropriate signal or stimulus which can be provided tothe receiver or the carrier. The signal or stimulus can be textinformation provided on the display device 20E, an audible sound outputby the output device 20I, a lighting of a light of the output device20I, and/or the sounding of an alarm by the output device 20I, and/orany other stimulus indicating that the shipment is not being deliveredto the correct receiver.

[0183] Thereafter, the shipment conveyance device computer 20 will, atstep 707, cancel the delivery to the receiver or party thought to be thereceiver. At step 708, the shipment conveyance device computer 20 willgenerate a mis-delivered notification message indicating that thereceiver is not the correct receiver. At step 708, the shipmentconveyance device computer 20 will also transmit the mis-deliverednotification message to any one or more of the sender, the carrier, thecorrect receiver, and/or the administrator, and/or to the respectivesender computer 40, carrier computer 30, receiver computer 50, and/orthe central processing computer 60, indicating that the shipment wasmis-delivered, at least for the time being. The carrier can, thereafter,re-attempt the shipment, transport, or delivery, of the shipmentconveyance device to the correct receiver. Thereafter, the operation ofthe system 100 will cease at step 709.

[0184] If, however, at step 705, it is determined that the receiver isthe correct receiver, the operation of the shipment conveyance devicecomputer 20 will proceed to step 710 and the shipment conveyance devicecomputer 20 will generate an appropriate signal or stimulus which can beprovided to the receiver or the carrier. The signal or stimulus can betext information provided on the display device 20E, an audible soundoutput by the output device 20I, a lighting of a light of the outputdevice 20I, and/or the sounding of an alarm by the output device 20I,and/or any other stimulus indicating that the shipment is beingdelivered to the correct receiver.

[0185] Thereafter, the shipment conveyance device computer 20 can, atstep 711, consummate/effect the delivery transaction. At step 712, theshipment conveyance device computer 20 will generate a deliverynotification message indicating that the receiver is the correctreceiver and/or that delivery of the shipment has been effected. At step712, the shipment conveyance device computer 20 will also transmit thedelivery notification message to any one or more of the sender, thecarrier, the correct receiver, and/or the administrator, and/or to therespective sender computer 40, carrier computer 30, receiver computer50, and/or the central processing computer 60, indicating that theshipment was properly delivered. Thereafter, the operation of the system100 will cease at step 713.

[0186] In the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 7A and 7B, as well as in anyand/or all of the other embodiments described herein, any of themessages generated and transmitted by the shipment conveyance devicecomputer 20, and/or by any of the other computers 30, 40, 50, and/or 60,can be an e-mail message, an instant messaging service message, a shortmessage, beeper message, pager message, a telephone message, apre-recorded telephone message, and/or any other electronic message orelectronic transmission.

[0187] In another preferred embodiment, the apparatus and method of thepresent invention can be utilized in order to generate and/or processinformation regarding an insurance claim involving a shipment which hasbeen lost, stolen, damaged, and/or mis-delivered, during shipment,transport, and/or delivery, by the carrier. FIG. 8 illustrates anotherpreferred embodiment method of utilizing the apparatus and method of thepresent invention, in flow diagram form.

[0188] With reference to FIG. 8, the operation of the system 100commences at step 800. At step 801, the sender can enter or program dataand/or information into the shipment conveyance device computer 20 viathe sender computer 30 and/or in any other appropriate manner. The dataand/or information can include delivery origin position or locationinformation, destination position or location information, shipmenttravel route information, including position or location informationcorresponding to points along the shipment travel route, carrieridentification information, carrier code and/or electronic signatureinformation, receiver identification information, receiver code and/orelectronic signature information, shipment temperature requirements,shipment impact tolerance information, shipment insurance information,shipment insurance claim information, shipment insurance claimsgeneration and/or submission information, and/or any other data and/orinformation regarding and/or relating to the shipment. The data and/orinformation entered and/or programmed into the shipment conveyancedevice computer 20 can be processed and stored at step 801.

[0189] At step 802, the shipment conveyance device computer 20 can,during transport of the shipment and/or upon the delivery of theshipment to a receiver or receiving entity, await the detection of aprocessing event.

[0190] The processing event can be any one or more of the detection bythe shipment conveyance device computer 20 that the shipment has beenlost (i.e. there is no record of the shipment being delivered and/or theshipment cannot be found and/or accounted for, etc.), that the shipmenthas been stolen (i.e. the carrier reports the shipment, and/or thecarrier vehicle with the shipment, as being stolen, the carrier has notdelivered the shipment to any receiver, and/or an unauthorizedindividual or entity has received the shipment and refuses to returnsame, etc.), the shipment has been damaged (i.e. perishable goods havespoiled, perished, and/or been ruined, fragile goods have been damaged,a damaging impact is detected, carrier reports involvement in accidentresulting in damage to the shipment and/or shipment contents, etc.)and/or that the shipment has been mis-delivered to an incorrectreceiver, receiving entity, individual or entity.

[0191] The shipment conveyance computer 20 can detect the processingevent itself via any of its herein-described processing capabilities(i.e. detecting erroneous position or location of the shipment orcarrier vehicle, detecting status of shipment as contrary to shippingand/or environmental requirements, detecting an impact or damagingforces exerted on the shipment conveyance device 10, detectingmis-delivery, and/or the shipment conveyance device computer 20 canreceive data and/or information from any one or more of the carriercomputers 30, the sender computers 40, the receiver computers 50, and/orthe central processing computers 60, which contains informationregarding any of the processing events.

[0192] At step 803, the shipment conveyance device computer 20 canprocess the data and/or information corresponding to the processingevent and generate an insurance claim message which contains informationregarding the processing event and information for filing an appropriateinsurance claim.

[0193] At step 804, the shipment conveyance device computer 20 willtransmit the insurance claim message to any one or more of the carrier,the sender, the receiver, and/or the administrator, in order to provideinformation regarding the detected processing event and/or theassociated insurance claim. The insurance claim information can be anyone or more of an e-mail message, an instant messaging service message,a short message, beeper message, pager message, a telephone message, apre-recorded telephone message, and/or any other electronic message orelectronic transmission.

[0194] At step 804, the insurance claim message can be transmitted toany one or more of the carrier computer 30, the sender computer 40, thereceiver computer 50, and/or the central processing computer 60. Thecentral processing computer 60 can also be utilized by and/or beassociated with an insurance provider and/or an insurance agent.

[0195] At step 805, the information contained in the insurance claimmessage can be received by, and can be output and/or displayed to therespective carrier, sender, receiver, and/or administrator, on, therespective carrier computer 30, the sender computer 40, the receivercomputer 50, and/or the central processing computer 60. At step 806, anyof the information concerning the insurance claim can be processedand/or stored at the respective carrier computer 30, the sender computer40, the receiver computer 50, and/or the central processing computer 60.Thereafter, the operation of the system 100 can cease at step 807.

[0196] In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 8, any of the insurance claimmessages generated and transmitted by the shipment conveyance devicecomputer 20 can be an e-mail message, an instant messaging servicemessage, a short message, beeper message, pager message, a telephonemessage, a pre-recorded telephone message, and/or any other electronicmessage or electronic transmission.

[0197] The apparatus and method of the present invention can be utilizedin order to provide any of the herein-defined shipment conveyancedevices with the information processing functionality described herein.In this manner, the present invention can be utilized in order toprovide “smart” shipment conveyance devices, “smart” pallets, “smart”containers, etc., or “electronic” shipment conveyance devices,“electronic” pallets, “electronic” containers, etc., which can provideenhanced information services and/or functionality, and/or “smart” or“e-” technologies, in the shipping, transportation, and/or delivery,services fields and/or industries.

[0198] While the present invention has been described and illustrated invarious preferred and alternate embodiments, such descriptions aremerely illustrative of the present invention and are not to be construedto be limitations thereof. In this regard, the present inventionencompasses all modifications, variations, and/or alternate embodiments,with the scope of the present invention being limited only by the claimswhich follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for providing shipment information,comprising: a memory device for storing shipment information, whereinthe shipment information contains at least one of information regardingat least one of a shipment, a shipment sender, a shipment description,contents of a shipment, a description of a shipment's contents, thevalue of a shipment, a receiver of a shipment, a destination of ashipment, a carrier of a shipment, a shipment invoice, a shipmentpacking slip, a shipment bill, and information regarding a shipmentconveyance device; a processor for processing at least one of a requestand a prompt to provide shipment information, wherein the processorprocesses the information contained in the memory device, and furtherwherein the processor generates a delivery message, wherein the deliverymessage contains information regarding at least one of a shipmentdescription, contents of a shipment, a description of a shipment'scontents, the value of a shipment, an shipment invoice, a shipmentpacking slip, and a shipment bill; and an output device for at least oneof outputting, displaying, and printing, information contained in thedelivery message.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: areceiver for receiving at least one of shipment information, revisedshipment information, and an update to shipment information, and arequest for shipment information, from a communication device associatedwith a sender; wherein the processor processes the at least one ofshipment information, revised shipment information, and an update toshipment information, and a request for shipment information, andfurther wherein the processor at least one of stores the at least one ofshipment information, revised shipment information, and an update toshipment information, and generates a response to the request forshipment information.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: aglobal positioning device; wherein the response to the request forshipment information contains information regarding the location of theshipment.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a transmitterfor transmitting the response to the communication device associatedwith the sender.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the communicationdevice is at least one of a computer, a computer system, a group ofcomputers, a telephone, a personal computer, a wireless telephone, apersonal digital assistant, a video telephone, a personal communicationdevice, a wireless device, a handheld device, and a palm-top device. 6.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is at least one attachedto, integrated with, built-into, located inside, and placed inside, theshipping conveyance device.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein theshipment conveyance device is at least one of conveyance structure, spallet, a container, a refrigerated container, a protective container, arailroad container, a tractor trailer container, an air freightcontainer, a marine vessel shipment container, a tote, a box, anenvelope, a bag, a canvas bag, and luggage.
 8. The apparatus of claim 4,wherein the transmitter can transmit shipment information to acommunication device associated with a shipment receiver, a shipmentcarrier, a shipment sender, and a third party, wherein the communicationdevice is at least one of a computer, a computer system, a group ofcomputers, a telephone, a personal computer, a wireless telephone, apersonal digital assistant, a video telephone, a personal communicationdevice, a wireless device, a handheld device, and a palm-top device. 9.A method for providing shipment information, comprising: storingshipment information, wherein the shipment information contains at leastone of information regarding at least one of a shipment, a shipmentsender, a shipment description, contents of a shipment, a description ofa shipment's contents, the value of a shipment, a receiver of ashipment, a destination of a shipment, a carrier of a shipment, ashipment invoice, a shipment packing slip, a shipment bill, andinformation regarding a shipment conveyance device; processing at leastone of a request and a prompt to provide shipment information;processing the stored information; generating a delivery message,wherein the delivery message contains information regarding at least oneof a shipment description, contents of a shipment, a description of ashipment's contents, the value of a shipment, an shipment invoice, ashipment packing slip, and a shipment bill; and at least one ofoutputting, displaying, and printing, information contained in thedelivery message.
 10. An apparatus for providing shipment information,comprising: a memory device for storing shipment information, whereinthe shipment information contains at least one of information regardingat least one of a shipment, a shipment sender, a shipment description,contents of a shipment, a description of a shipment's contents, thevalue of a shipment, a receiver of a shipment, a destination of ashipment, a carrier of a shipment, a shipment invoice, a shipmentpacking slip, a shipment bill, and information regarding a shipmentconveyance device; a processor for detecting a processing event, whereinthe processor processes the information contained in the memory devicein response to a detection of the processing event, and further whereinthe processor generates a notification message, wherein the notificationmessage contains information regarding at least one of the occurrence ofthe processing event, information regarding the event, and at least oneof a shipment description, contents of a shipment, a description of ashipment's contents, the value of a shipment, an shipment invoice, ashipment packing slip, and a shipment bill; and a transmitter fortransmitting the notification message to a communication deviceassociated with at least one a shipment sender, a shipment carrier, ashipment receiver, and a third party.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the processing event is a detection of a shipment deviation froma pre-determined transportation route, a detection of an unauthorizedshipment carrier, a detection of a wrong shipment carrier, a detectionof an unauthorized carrier code, a detection of an unauthorized carrierelectronic signature, a detection of an unauthorized shipment receiver,a detection of a wrong shipment receiver, a detection of a stolenshipment, a detection of an accident involving the shipment, a detectionof a damaging impact, a detection of a damaging shipment temperaturedeviation, an elapsing of an expected shipment time, and a detectedshipment mis-handling.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, furthercomprising: a receiver for receiving at least one of shipmentinformation, revised shipment information, and an update to shipmentinformation, and a request for shipment information, from acommunication device associated with a sender; wherein the processorprocesses the at least one of shipment information, revised shipmentinformation, and an update to shipment information, and a request forshipment information, and further wherein the processor at least one ofstores said at least one of shipment information, revised shipmentinformation, and an update to shipment information, and generates aresponse to the request for shipment information.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 10, further comprising: a global positioning device, wherein theprocessor processes information generated from the global positioningdevice in conjunction with expected positioning information, and furtherwherein the processor generates a message comparing the positioninginformation obtained from the global positioning device with theexpected positioning information.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10, furthercomprising: at least one of a temperature measuring device, formeasuring the temperature of at least one of the shipment and theshipment conveyance device, and a force sensor for detecting at leastone of a force and an impact imparted on the at least one of theshipment and the shipment conveyance device.
 15. The apparatus of claim10, wherein the communication device is at least one of a computer, acomputer system, a group of computers, a telephone, a personal computer,a wireless telephone, a personal digital assistant, a video telephone, apersonal communication device, a wireless device, a handheld device, anda palm-top device.
 16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatusis at least one attached to, integrated with, built-into, locatedinside, and placed inside, the shipping conveyance device.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 16, wherein the shipment conveyance device is atleast one of conveyance structure, s pallet, a container, a refrigeratedcontainer, a protective container, a railroad container, a tractortrailer container, an air freight container, a marine vessel shipmentcontainer, a tote, a box, an envelope, a bag, a canvas bag, and luggage.18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the memory device contains atleast one of electronic signature information and electronic moneyinformation.
 19. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processorprocesses electronic signature information regarding a shipmentreceiver, and further wherein the processor generates a messagecontaining information for at least one of verifying a receiver as beingthe correct receiver and providing notification that a receiver is notthe correct receiver.
 20. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein theprocessor detects an insurance processing event, wherein the processorprocesses the information contained in the memory device in response toa detection of the insurance processing event, and further wherein theprocessor generates an insurance claim message, wherein the insuranceclaim message contains information regarding at least one of theinsurance claim, the occurrence of the insurance processing event,information regarding the event, and at least one of a shipmentdescription, contents of a shipment, a description of a shipment'scontents, the value of a shipment, an shipment invoice, a shipmentpacking slip, and a shipment bill, wherein the transmitter transmits theinsurance claim message to a communication device associated with atleast one a shipment sender, a shipment carrier, a shipment receiver, ashipment insurer, and a third party.